BC Government allocates $366 million for child care

British Columbia’s provincial government is allocating $366 million to expand access to quality, affordable child care and invest in early childhood educators. The funding represents an increase of nearly $200 million for the second year of the its 10-year universal child care commitment.

In its first year, the program succeeded in:

Lowering fees for 52,000 children and their families, with many more low-income families paying low or no fees

2,500 children accessing $10/day pilot sites

Giving Early Childhood Educators their first publicly-funded wage increase in almost 20 years, along with increased bursaries and education supports

Creating new licensed programs, and upgrading existing facilities

Converting unlicensed spaces to licensed

Increasing supports for young parents and children with additional needs

Meeting commitments to Indigenous-led child care on and off reserve

“This is a significant step forward,” said Morna Ballantyne, Executive Director of Child Care Now. “It is an example of the rapid progress that can be made when a government follows through on its promises to build a child care system in full consultation with child care advocates, parents and communities.”